By LAUREN DOWDLE / For the Reporter

Whether she’s taking the softball field or heading to the classroom, Mary Katherine Tedder impresses people with her talent and work ethic.

“Mary Katherine is the quintessential well-rounded student,” says Tracy Prater, college and career specialist, Spain Park High School. “You would be hard-pressed to find anyone with a negative word to say about her. Her work ethic is seen in the classroom as well as the playing field. Coaches in all sports point to her work ethic as an example to their athletes.”

Tedder catches people’s attention on the softball field, impressing college recruiters since she was in the eighth grade. But she hasn’t let any of that go to her head.

“Although she seemingly has every reason to be arrogant, she remains one of the most humble and kindhearted students I have had the pleasure of working with,” Prater says.

This Spain Park High School senior is the daughter of LaDonna and Scott Tedder, and they played a large role in cultivating her love for softball.

“My father played baseball in the major leagues, and he got [me] into playing my first couple years of softball — and later is when I fell in love with the sport,” says Tedder, who has been playing softball since she was 3 years old.

In addition to softball, she’s also involved with cross country, indoor track, bowling and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). It’s easy to see sports are in her blood.

“My favorite part of a softball team is my teammates and the times we spend together hanging out, along with the memories we make on the field,” she says.

While she says it’s hard to narrow down her top memory from high school, she says getting second in state with softball is definitely a good one. When she isn’t on the field, she says she enjoys running and baking in her spare time.

Tedder will be attending the University of Texas to continue playing softball. She plans to major in sport management and says she’d like to be an event planner for a college or collegiate conference after she earns her degree.